Door construction for vehicles



5 Sheets-Sheet 1 W. H. EMOND nook CONSTRUCTION FCR VEHICLES July'` 13 1926.

Filed Sept. l5

July 13,1926. 1,592,657v

W. H. EMOND DOOR CONSTRUCTIQN FOR VEHICLES 5 sheets-sheet 2 Filed Sept. 13 1925' -oooonimm* July 13, 1926.

W. H. EMOND DOOR CONSTRUCTION FOR VEHICLES Filed Sept. 13 1923 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 `as a. completed article' but which may be l*ulxurso sinras- PATENT: OFFICE.

` IL Enorm, or emoties, NEW Yonx.

Doon. eoNsrnUcfi-ION son vnnrcLns.

' applicati@ aleasep'eemm 13,1923.. semi 1ro. 532,472.

` more rapidly, convenientlyand cheaply constructed,.assernbled and installed than doors as at present known. i My invention will be more fully understood by referencelto the following descrip- .tion taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein for the purposes of illustration I have showna vehicle anda door therefor whichfby its construction and method of building` serves as an illustrative embodiment of my inventiom In my patent 1,570,560, granted'Jan. 19, 1926 on' an application constituting a division of the present application I have claimed the construction of the body and herein claim the door as such. l

In the drawings,

Fig. 1 is a partial side elevation ofthe .body foi' a closed vehicle 'Figs 2 vand 3 are sections on an enlarged 3G, scale on the lines 2 2 and 3 3 of 1,

respectively Fig. 4 is an elevation of one of the units of which the door is constructed as seen from the inner side of the door; v

Fig. 5 is a section on the line .5 5 oi Fig. 4; l,

' Fig. 6 is an elevation of a 'cooperating unit from which the door iseonstructed.;

Figs. 7 and 8 are sections on the lines 7 7 and 8 8 of Fig. 6, respectively;

,Fig 9 is an elevation of the door substan- 1 tially completeon a somewhat larger scale;

. to that type of door wherein the upper por- `tion accommodates a Window, usuall and Y Fig. 10 is a section on the line 10 10 of Fig. 9.-

My invention finds particular application arranged to slidevertica'lly. This type o door is common in automotive vehicles of the closed type. Such doors considered 'as a whole are of relatively complicated construc 4tion and are. large and unwieldy. In accord ance with the method whichconstitutes a part of my invention in one aspect'thereor and which may be utilizedin constructing the embodiment thereof herein disclosed ings defining door frames extending construct the door of a lurality of. units, each of which is relative y easy to handle and which may be built and completed fif de sirediby a series of jig operations at a bench and which then may be assembled by an exceedingly simple operation to provide the complete door structure. In the form of the V invention illustrated as an example, the constructlon of door. adapting itself to this method of construction possesses as a completed article and as a portionof the vehicle to which itis applied important advantages as will appear as the detailed description proceeds.

.. Referring-to the drawings, in Fig.- 1 I have shown a portion of a closed automobile body comprising Va lower body section 11 from which the top 13 is supported by front.

posts 15 and side posts 17. The body section 11 is provided with door openings and certain of the posts, as, in the case of ythe forward door, the posts 15 and 17 at the left of Fig. 1, rise at the side of these o enom the floor to the roof or top. The door received by this frame comprises a lower door,

section proper 19 closing the opening in the lower body section 11 and an upper portion 21 in the nature of a window received be.

tween the topLsupporting posts which denne the sides of the door openlng.

Referring to Figs. 2 and 3, while the' con.-

vstruction loit'the door frame might be oany desired or suitable type, conveniently the posts 15 and 17 are of suitable tubular steel shapes and the side posts 17, as illustrated by 4I1`igs2 and 3, may be of' counterpart ther description of the vehicle as Such isv herein postponedto a detailed description of the dooralone.

The door .herein illustrated may be cons structed in two relatively light and wieldy units and in the form shown one ofthese units,` illustrated particularly in Fig. '4, provides for the assembly and coordination of the parts relating .to the window or glazing which forms the upper part of the com lete door and the other -unit illustrated in ig. 6 might' be said in a general way to comprise the lower door portion 19. For convemence in referringto these units and without any defining intention I shall herein call them the window unit and the door unit.

'Referring to Figs. 4 and 5, the window unit may comprise a suitable tall window frame, preferably constructed of metal, and embodying the two channel sides 25 more clearly illustrated in Fig. 2 which provide guideways in which the light or glazing of the window, whether or no equipped with a. sash, may slide. In the form of the invention illustrated the glass is fitted directly into these channels without any sash but with the customary felt packing 26 and in this instance the side members preferably have the sectional form clearly illustrated in Fig. 2 with a tubular body portion. The window frame is completed by lower and upper cross members 27 and 29 and the member 29 is secured to the members 25 by the angles 31 and is convenientlv made readily removable as indicated in Fig. 4 to provide access to the interior of the channels so that the light or pane. of the window may be readily slid into the channels from the -top either before or after .the window section now being described is assembled with the door. section. Secured to .the side members 25 (see Fig. 5), conveniently by means of angles 33, is the metallic lock-bar 35 suit-l ably Iformed to accommodate the lock and in cooperation with the rectangular window frame providing for the support of various parts and mechanisms which are associated with or used in' controlling the window. As a graphic example I have herein partially illustrated a suitable window regulator 37, so-called, for raising and lowering the window in theframe and which issupported on the .lower cross member 27 and the lock-bar 35. It will be .seen that while the unit shown in Fig. 4 is relatively large, it is of light and simple construction' and it may be readily handled and prior to any assembly with the other lparts ofthe door, the various mechanisms associated with the sliding window proper may be secured in position and adjusted.

V vReferring nowto Figs. `6, 7 and S, the lower 4door section is constructed as an independent -un1t and may comprise a -lock pillar 39, a.v hinge pillar 41 and a bottom rail 43, these'- parts being conveniently, though not necessarly, constructed of Wood, a belt-bar 45 joining the upper ends of the pillars and the outerpanel 47. These partsl though relatively bulky and heavy constitute aunit relativelysmall in size and correspondingly wieldy. The innerfaces of the. pillars 39 and 41 are provided with the' grooves or sockets49 adapted to receive the lower portion of the window frame and the upper portions nd one'flange of these sockets is cut away providing the rabbets 51 against which portions of the channels 25 of the window unitfit and alsol receiving thelock-bar 35K' of the window unit. This door unit may be handled b jig operations on the bench, .constructe any necessary or usual fittings. The two .units as shown in Figs. 4 and 6 may then be assembled to form the substantially Acomplete door as shown in Figs. 9 and l04 by simply inserting the lower portion of the as shown and 'completed' with window frame into'the open tops of the sockets 49 and securing the belt-bar 35 to the pillars, either before or after the lower door the window may be attached, lined up and adjusted on the window frame unit as shown in Fig. 4 before it is assembled with the door section of Fig. 6 and likewise the door section may becompleted and provided with suitable or desired fittings before it is assembled with the large window casing. At the same time the bringing together. or assembling of these two units is substantially a mere'juxtaposition or ttingltogether instead of a building operation. j

I have not attempted to show in detail, particularly in Figs. 4 and 6, all the various elements or fittings which might bel attached or -adjusted to. the Window unit or mechanisms for controlling and operating the Idoor unit in the course of their construction as the number and nature of these might vary 1n accordance with clrcumstances and the dictates of convenience. 4The illusf pleted by theremovabl sills 53 and 5 5 fitting the sidesof the window and its frame and closing the top of the door section. Conveniently. both the sills are removable or displaceable, and in particular the sill 55 to permitthe light proper to be inserted in-v to the up rend of the channels 25 when .the-top piece or lintel 29 is removed in the. manner illustrated in Fig. 4 and to permitany ittingorframing at the bottom of the light to pass into the interior .of the door structure, for instance, for connection tothe window controlling mechanism 37.

In the preferred embodiment. of the invention shown the pillars 39 and 41 extend only substantially half the height of the door andthe upper section which extends above thelower body lsection 11 of the vehicle illustrated in Fig. 1 consists solely of and alignment of such guides.

the relatively'hlight window frame having the side channel section 25 and this frame is adapted to close as indicated in Fig. 2

into the rabbets of the top-supporting posts to close the upper portion of the door opening which is defined by theseposts and io complete the enciosure of the vehicle. Such a construction' is particularly desirable in that merely the narrow and ineonspicuous metallic windowframe is exposed-above the lower body section of--the vehicle providing.

a neater and more attractivefinish and permitting a maximum area of the sides of the Vehicle to be of glass construction' with relatively small structural frames or yposts to obstruct the vision or occupants. At the same timetliis window frame .as illustrated in Fig. 4 is of 'a substantial rigid construction and facilitates the readyinstallatioii of the Window proper as' contrasted with tho increased an at the same time the elimina- `tion of the customary heavy frame-'Work forming a continuation upwardly of the pillars of the door provides for a minimum obstruction to theview and the samel is true 'of the other parts of the vehicle. .The post 17,- and the channel 25 which fits thereagainst, need occupy no more space than the 'upper portion of the corresponding pillar or side frame member of a conventional -door,even disregarding the post or jamb with which such a pillar cooperates.

In the preferred form of the 'invention yhere shown itA might besaid" that the skeleton unit shown in`Fig. 4 provides for the support and control of the movable win'dow and this operating unit is trimmed with the door section enclosingtlie lower portion thereof. From another "point of view Ain the illustrated construction wherein hingesare installed solely on the lower door section (although my invention is obviously not limited to such a construction) it might be said that this lower door section serves as a support'and suspension receiving the .complete window supporting and controlling ,unit illustratedin Fig. 4.

'- I have described in detail` the particular embodiment ofmy invention shown in the accompanying drawingsusing specific descriptive wordsin doing so in order that vision through the windshie d opening 'is' it mi ht be readily understood and not. at-

tempting in the course of the descri tion to indicate 1n a more generic way w at was exemplified by the specific structure shown and described. The specific disclosure and language used in describing it are not therefore to betaken in a limiting sense and the f l invention which I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent I shall express in the following claims. -v

Claims;

l; That method of constructing doors of the type described characterized by constructing a tall'window-casing frame which provides means for movably supporting thi` window, constructing a lower door body of a size to terminate substantially at the belt line of the vehicle, said body being socketed 'to receive the frame, and lixedly securing the frame in the. doo body to ,provide a fixed frame projecting abov..` the door body to receive the window in raised position.

2. That method (if-constructing doors of the type described characterized by constructing a tall window-casing frame which provides means for movably1 supporting the window and .att-aching thereto mechanism for coiirolling its i ove-ment, constructing a door ody of a 'si tially at thebeltlineT of the vehicle, said body beingsocketed to receive .the frame and fixedly securing the frame carrying said mechanism .in'- the door body to `provide a fixed frame projecting above the door body.

to receive vthe window inraised position.

3. That method; ofconstructing doors of -the type described comprising constructing a unit which includes a window casing' and a lock bar,v said unit providing means for movably supporting the window, construct- 'ing as a second unit a 'door body of a size to terminateat the belt line of' the vehicle andcomprising a belt bar,A a panlel and pillars, the last having seats to receive the cas-v ing, and assembling the two units with the permanently 'projecting above the 4 door body. l

casing 4. That method of constructing doors of the type described comprising constructing a unit which includes a metallic-window general principles exemplified by my to terminate substanico frame having channeljambs and an asso-- ciat'ed lock-bar, said unit providing for the independent assembly and coordination-of the` window positioning and controlling body of a size to terminate substantially at the belt line of the vehicle and having a seat to receive. said frame" and assembling the units with said frame permanently projecting above thev door body to extend tothetop of a door opening.

5.' In a door. structure a unitary assembly providing a' tall rigid-'windowrframe aud including channel vsides Within which 'the means, constructing-as a second unit' a door 'v ing the same.

window slides and an intermediate crosspiece secured to said sides, window control- .lin'gmechanism ,carried by said assembly, a Window sliding within thechannels4 and a lower door body of arsize toterminate 'Sub- ,stantially at thebelt line of the vehicle receiving a portion of theframe and A.fixedly' supporting-the same with. a portion permanently projecting above said' body. v

6. `A door structure of the type having a -sliding Window comprising a' tallmetallic window frame havingchann'el sides `and a separable top'v cross-piece vor lintel, an intermediate cross-piece secured to the frame, window controlling mechanism carried by said parts anda lower door body receiving a portion of said frame and fixedly mpport- 7 In ar door structure a tall metallic Awindow frame-having continuous side memberswithin which the window slides, a sliding window inthe frame and controlling means 'for the window, all said parts being' connected together. as a unit independent'of the door body hereinafter recited,j and' alower unitary door bodyxedly assembled .with said unit with. the side members permanently projecting above the belt line of the door,

' to receive the window' -in raised position and providingbelow the belt line a fixed berth for the window in lowered position.

8. A door structure of the type having a .Sliding window comprisinga rigid Windowcasing frame of such height as to provide for the sliding within the same of the win-,-

. dow from its extreme lowered to its 'extreme raised position and providing also-for the support. of associated mechanisms and a lower .Ahlnged door' body receiving the Vlowerportlon ofthe frame and, suspending the same with it's upper portion permanently and xedly projecting above the belt line.

10. A door structure of the' type having a sliding window in the upper portion there- .of comprising a wieldy window unit includ- --ing a metallic window frame of a'size to extend to thetop'of'tlie door opening, ra lockbar carried therebyA and window controlling mechanism. mounted onV said parts and a:

door -unit proper'of a size to terminate substantiallyat the'belt 'line ofthe vehicle and l comprising a belt-barl and pillars formed to receive and support said frame.

1l. A door structure o f the typehaving a sliding Vwindow inthe upperportion thereof i comprising awieldy AWindow unit including 'a metallic window frame., a lock-bar carried thereby and `Window controlling mechanism' -mounted on sald parts and a doorunit proper comprising 4a beltbar and." pillars having Aopen-'topped sockets. receiving and supporting said Trame.

12. A door structure of the type described comprising a tall metallic window frame having channel sides of a siz'e to lextendto the top 'of the door opening; a Alock-bar car- `ried thereby, vvindovv controlling mechanism carried by said parts, a door unit of a size to 'terminate substantially at'the -beltline of the vehicle comprising pillars having seats forsaid frame and av belt-bar and sills carried bv belt-bar and lockfbar respectively,

13. A. door structure of the type described Acomprising a. tall metallic window' frame having channel sides of a size' to extendto thelrtop ofthe door opening,a 'lockbar carried thereby, window controlling mechanism 4carried by' said parts, adoor unit of a size to terminate substantially at .the belt line of the vehicle comprising pillars havlng seats for said frameY and a belt-bar and. a displaceable sill carried by one of said' bars.

14. A door structure of the typedescribed comprising a tall metallic window frame having channel sides .and a separable. top

-cross-piece or lintel providing access to the channels, a v lock-bar carried thereby, Win-f dow controlling mechanism carried by said parts, a door unitcomprising pillars having Seats' forsaid frame and a1belt-bar and a displaceable sill carried by one of said bars.

15. A vehicle body comprising Aa lower body section provided witha socket receivf Y ing and iXedly supporting the lower portion of a relatively tall self-,contained Window r'am'e'moilnted as a unit therein'and having rigid side members permanently'projecting above the said section anda Window slidable on 'said members to be supported within the frame above said-body section or below the belt line of the vehicle.

16. Ina door 'structuregof-the type having a' sliding window, a lower door body termi# nating substantially at the belt-line of the vehicle' and in addition a window frame of relatively light construction .as compared with the lower door. body extending to the top of the door opening and comprising a liiitel and' channel sides in vvlliclithe .win-

. dow slides, portions of said 'sides being fi x edly mounted in said lower door body to' support a ortion of the frame in position a ove the door. body.

- 17. -In a door' structure of the type having permanent panel, a belt'bar and pillars, said pillars having open-topped sockets or seats therein between the faces' oftheA door,v a frame'in which the window slides seated in said socka sliding window a door body "having a etsand fixedly .supported by the door body, said frame comprising guides for, the sides lofthew-indow and extending to the top of the door opening, one of said pillars terminating Substantially at the belt line.

18.' In a. door" structure of the type having a sliding window, a unit comprising a palr of channel guides -1n which the wlndow may slide -and a lplurality of cross Apieces rigidly to maintain said guides in a common plane anda lower-'door bodylterminating substantially at the belt line of the. vehicle and lixedly .supporting .sa-id unit with said guides -permanently extending above the lbelt line' to the top of the, door opening.

19. In a vehicle of the type having a sliding window, a lower door body having pillars at the sides 'providing betweenA them. a

berth -for the window in lowered position and an upper portion above the belt line which consistsl of alfixedly projecting window frame of lesswidth and thickness than l the lower door body beneath the belt to lie dow in its raised position.

' 20. In a .vehicle door structure of thetyp'e f having a sliding window, a lower door body having pillars lat the sides providing between them a' berth for'tlie window in lowered positi'onand-an upper portion providing a fixedly proj ecting' window frame above the belt line to receive the window'in raised position, said frame formed with uprights rising from 'the pillars of 'thelower door body, which uprights are of'markedl .reduced-thickness as compared with the pillars and areof slight width fore and aft whereby they are essentially only guides for the sliding windowand lthe door as a whole is in effect a relatively bulky and strong body beneath the belt Aline carrying iixedlya relatively light window frame projecting in permanent'-position above 'the belt line.

2l. A door for a closed vehicle and of the type having a sliding Window, comprising a lower door body providing within the 'same a berth for the window in 'lowered position and an upper portion above the belt line forming a iixedly projecting window frame, into which. the' window` slides when raised from said berth, saidbody' comprising pillars at the sides and a connecting panel, one of said pillars terminating substantially at the belt line, the corresponding upright of said frame rising from said pillar and being of markedly less thickness than the latter to fit closely the thickness of the window and being of such slight width fore and 'aft as consistent with providing a :frame ele'- ment. having a guidewayreceiving the edge of the window in its ralsed position.

In testimonyi whereof, I'have signed my nameto this specification.y

H, EMOND.

' WILLIAM 

